Local Telephone Competition

The Arizona Corporation Commission (CC) has approved new rules that allow telephone companies to provide basic dial tone service in competition with existing monopoly providers. The competitive companies may also provide intraLATA toll service. According to the CC, cable television companies, companies currently building fiber-optic networks in the state, and other utilities may apply for certificates to provide both business and residential service in competition with the 11 existing Arizona monopoly telephone companies; however, all companies will be required to participate in a universal service fund to assure that basic local service is available at reasonable rates. The rules also provide for streamlined regulation of competitive services. Re Rulemaking Regarding Competitive Telecommunications Services, Dkt. No. R-0000-94-424, June 21, 1995 (Ariz.C.C.) The New York Public Service Commission